Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Seven of ‘Sugar’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
What’s truly amazing about the Apple TV+ series, Sugar, is how the show continues to outright surprise us. Because over the course of the past seven weeks, we’ve been privy to a reinvention of noir, courtesy of a powerful and engaging case that has truly kept us guessing every step of the way. To the point where its push toward resolution has been unconventional in nature. After all, last week’s tale made it seem as though we were about to bear witness to Olivia’s whereabouts and learn more about her kidnapping and the danger surrounding it. Only to be stunned with failure on John Sugar’s part, and an admission that utterly changed the tone of this story and private investigator stories for all time. Since well, John Sugar is a freakin’ alien. A twist that leaves us with more questions than answers. For we are of course, curious as to where John and his species hail from, and why they have to come to Earth, and why they are so eager to be amongst us and help us, as John has made a point to do. All of which has left us stunned and surprised and outright buzzing to see if by chance this series will offer any answers to our questions or continue to offer more shock and more awe and well, after weeks of twists and turns and refreshing moments… this series finally decided it was high time to settle down and gift us with some answers and a push toward resolution. In the wildest manner possible of course. So, with that in mind, let’s talk about all the answers to our questions that ‘The Friends You Know’ sent our way. Because they truly did offer us catharsis and focus. Which came forth after Melanie and John escaped Miller’s angry clutches. For the other aliens in John’s stead came looking for him and they were looking for anyone else from their world, including Henry. But once there was peace and a moment to breathe away from the grand push to capture John… did truth come to light. In that, John admitted, as best he can… that his species came here to observe and potentially learn, and they of course, took various jobs in our world to do so, and they don’t mind helping so we can see the wonder we are capable of. Which were solid answers, and this line of learning also helped us to understand, there wasn’t any danger surrounding John after all. For the grand push to collect one another was because… orders came down from on high. The observation was over, and all were to return home, post haste. A move that didn’t sit well with John in the slightest. Because it was hasty and made no sense, but there was rhyme and reason for this as well. For it turned out, that John and his brood were discovered by certain officials in the United States Government, and to keep things simple and ignorant, an offer was put on the table. In that, the aliens were to leave, lest their secret work be exposed to the world, and clearly, the majority agreed to that offer… regardless of how little joy it brought them. But John wasn’t good with leaving unfinished business on the table, and he truly wanted to find Olivia. So, with an assist from Henry, he was able to head to her last known location. Wherein we learned that a senator’s son, one that was deeply disturbed mentally, had her locked up in his basement. That also served a twisted torture chamber, where he inflicted pain for his own pleasure. Which of course, led to more trouble for John since there was a battle and there was another death. Since that scumbag took his own life, rather than face the music for his actions, but John was victorious and may have found Olivia at last, and the word ‘may’ is used, because of another amazing cliffhanger from this amazing show. One that finally, offered up answers. For now, we know the purpose of John’s people, and we have a better understanding of why there’s been shadow and concern surrounding what may be John’s last case. All of which sets the stage for a finale… that will undoubtedly continue to surprise us. For shock and awe is where this series thrives, and it will be interesting to see how this wild ride wraps up come next week. Until then. Watch ‘Sugar’
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Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Six of ‘Mary & George’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
There are a great many reasons why all of us have gravitated to the STARZ series, Mary & George. For some of us, it’s the cast and the performances since Julianne Moore and Nicholas Galitzine are on fire here. For others, it’s the sexy and sultry nature of the show since that always has appeal. But above all, it’s because… the show is deeply relatable. Because Mary and George Villiers are people we know in real life. Those arrogant opportunists who thirst for power and control and validation… but haven’t a clue what to do with it when they get it. They just want and take and entertain us when they hit their downfall. Because what people like Mary and George never understand, is how hated they are and how their complacency and desire over action… always comes back to haunt them. In our world, that usually means they’re fired from their job or are humiliated enough for their nonsense that they disappear from sight. But in ‘The Queen Is Dead’, the risks were far greater for people in that standing. Because failure in 1620, meant certain death and well… this duo faced just that. Largely because they had fired off a powder keg in England. For their arrogance and desire to be seen and in charge, pushed them both to foolishness and left the country deeply divided. To the point where the Queen’s fresh corpse turned rotten in the palace, and where James was despondent. Because funds were dry, and the King cared not to rule but to hide from the pain in front of him. Which left this duo stagnant and hated for their foolish involvement in anything outside of being pretty or being a lover and well… that prompted action. The kind where George and Mary conspired to open parliament so that taxes would be levied, and the King’s Court could bury the Queen and mourn. But all that did, was give everyone that chance to strike. Because now… investigations could begin with parliament in session and power plays could come forth and who better to look into and remove… than the arrogant fools that schemed their way into power and did nothing but muck it up because they didn’t belong, didn’t know how to rule and didn’t know what they were doing outside of living off of the fat of the King’s good will? Which meant, that Mary and George were in serious trouble. For no one would rest until ‘justice’ was served and the status quo of the palace returned and for a time there, it seemed as though… this was the series finale, and this duo would pay the piper. But alas, what we also forget about people akin to Mary and George… is that the grand day they disappear from the workplace or our lives, comes after a long and drawn-out fight. An exhausting one at that. Because people like them, aren’t stupid, and they have amazing survival instincts. The kind that will absolutely help them to fight to the bitter end and that’s exactly what this duo did here. For when their backs were against the wall, they used every trick and promise in the book to flip the script and keep their power and keep their heads about them, and they most certainly did. Since they did indeed find new scapegoats and enemies to bring to bear and punish, and that allowed for them, to stick around when the dust settled and maintain their faux power. But not without cost mind you. Because that kind of scheming always comes with a price attached and for Mary, it was her lover, since her blood had to be spilled to bring permanent peace. All of which made for a bleak episode, one that truly reminded us of how our main characters are not heroes, nor are they villains really. They’re just marginalized opportunists. Those small individuals that will hurt to be large, and create damage in their wake and wow, have they brought about disaster thus far. Since England is in tatters and the court is a mess and it does leave one to wonder if they are close now to paying the piper. Because this nonsense never lasts, and folks like Mary and George never maintain and it really does seem as though, their days are numbered. The only questions that remain relate to how their downfall will come into play. Will it happen through external means, where someone hungrier than them finally bests them? Or will it come through more traditional means… wherein their arrogance and desire become all-consuming in nature and brings their salad days to a sour end. Until next time. Watch ‘Mary & George’
Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Three Finale of ‘BMF’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
We like to believe that when we’ve reached the top of our respective career field, that there will be pomp and circumstance to accompany our achievement. A celebration of sorts that truly signifies we are leaving one chapter of our lives behind and stepping into a brand-new one. Which is a belief that exists in the hope that we can properly recognize the moment we went from hungry hustler to the top dog, and what’s wild… is that such a transitional moment… rarely happens in life. Because we become so good at what we do in the hustle phase and are so focused on being the best, that there comes a moment where… we simply are just that. Where we wake up on a Tuesday, and… we’ve made it… we’re the best. Which is outright, how it should be. Because then there’s no pressure upon us, we simply are where we need to be, and we can continue to do what brought us to the top, and well… this moment is top of mind today, simply because it fell upon Terry and Meech’s shoulders in the season three finale of BMF on STARZ. A feat that ‘Prime Time’ accomplished in the smoothest of manner, after of course… wrapping up some of the other important plot threads present this season. Such as the fact that Lucille and Charles split as a couple and came to realize, they needed to find themselves and understand their real needs and wants. Which allowed for them to just... drift and explore the world and learn along the way. Since Charles came to realize he needed to explore his musical career and Lucille just needed some alone time, since Maurice, was a two-timing tool bag. Which brought three years of strife to a close and oddly, closure was closely tied to one of the key plot threads regarding this episode’s central theme. Because Terry came to realize he had made it as a kingpin, by quietly bearing witness to the fall of Henri. Because he devastated her family’s business by cutting off the supply lines and he left her so paranoid and so out of sorts that the move she made against Hoop, only pushed Jin and Bryant to squeeze harder upon her and the corruption in the city. Which brought about, a stunning moment where an already fragile Henrietta broke, and shot her father and in doing so… went to jail and was dealt with behind bars. Which in turn, brought closure for Jin and Bryant. Since the bust allowed for Jin to get her badge back and prompted a transfer to Los Angeles to join the LAPD in their own fights and as for Bryant… he started to heal and planned his own next steps. But what mattered most here, was that Terry put in the work, and set the stage for Henrietta’s downfall, and it worked and just like that… BMF was on top in Detroit. Without any pomp or circumstance or real moment to signify as such, and the same went for Meech down ATL way. Because all the knowledge he had been gathering about Atlanta and Remi, allowed for him to figure out a quick way to seize the trade in this town. Because all it came down to, was appealing to the businessmen side of everyone in Atlanta and finding the right person to turn the rest of the crews to BMF’s line of thinking. And once that happened, and the money started flowing in, everyone turned on Remi and cast him out, and he was dealt with accordingly and just like that, BMF was on top in Atlanta. Also, without warning or some kind of keynote moment. Because Meech was just so good at selling a better way and delivering that, that people fell in line and handed him the keys to the kingdom, and that allowed for these two reach the top smoothly, and learn another valuable lesson after meeting a sports legend. In that, while our ascension to the top will be relaxed in nature, it doesn’t mean we won’t have to fight to maintain and face new challenges in doing so. Which it would seem that the recently greenlighted fourth season will focus upon, courtesy of that cliffhanger. But while we impatiently wait for season four, we can celebrate… one amazing finale and one amazing season. One that stayed true to the core principle of this story. In that, we were once again treated to an in depth look at how these two brothers rose to power, and how they grew into the mindset required of a kingpin. Which was put on display here in wonderful detail, and truly that is why the wait for season four will be rough. Because now, we will see how the Flenory brothers grew their network across these United States of America and became the last great crime family of the 20th Century, and it will simply be fascinating to see that play out and see how Terry and Meech enjoy their new standing… as the best. Until next year. Watch ‘BMF’
Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season 14 Premiere of ‘Doctor Who’. To revisit the 2023 Holiday Special, clickhere.
One thing that we can all agree upon, is that now and again… everyone just needs a fresh start. It could be from a career standpoint, or revolve our own personal habits, but one way or another… you just have to hit that reset button sometimes and try something new and this also applies to the world of entertainment. Because sometimes, there are franchises out there that get a little stale in nature and struggle because of it, and truly… the best thing to do in that instance is to find a way to shake things up and reset the franchise so that it can find a new and exciting direction, even if the story in question is designed for that kind of shakeup, as is the case with Doctor Who. Because despite being able to switch out the Doctor through regeneration, giving rise a new actor and new adventures for them to take part in… the franchise has come under fire in the past few years. For being mythos heavy, for putting the Doctor through utter hell and trauma. Giving rise to a bit of an edgier and darker Doctor Who, the kind that left fans wondering if the franchise was going to move forward or be stuck in darkness and its own mythos. Which are valid criticisms, the kind that quite frankly, called for… a grand reset. Which is why the show has moved to a new network on Disney+, and why the man responsible for reinvention was brought back in to explore the moments that made the story great in the first place through the David Tennant, Fourteenth Doctor specials, before moving it forward in a bold new direction with the Fifteenth Doctor. For this new iteration of Doctor Who, with Ncuti Gatwa at the helm of the TARDIS, really does refresh and reinvent the series, and for proof… just look at its two-episode, season fourteen premiere. Because these episodes truly accomplish some storytelling wonders. For instance, ‘Space Babies’, a tale that plunges the Doctor and his new companion, Ruby Sunday, into a faraway space station run by hyper intelligent infants… harkens back to some classic elements of the show. The bizarre aliens that more or less permeated the golden age of the show, alongside offering up the sense of fun and adventure that Davies established from the get-go, with something new thrown in the mix, a sense of the fantastical. Since the problem on this station is something far more unique than we’ve ever seen the series deal with, and that is extended to the second story, ‘The Devil’s Chord’.
Because the villain in that story, a being known as the Maestro, is eager to feed upon the joy that music brings us. Which we have to mention, does lead to some fun celebrity encounters for the Doctor and Ruby, science they meet some fine lads names John, Paul, George and Ringo. But while that is fun and amazing, it is the Maestro that matters most in this story. For this being is fantastical in every sense of the word and is driven by a need to feed off of the intangible and this being is as malevolent as they come and wants nothing more than destruction and suffering and harbors powers that are simply beyond comprehension. Giving rise to a true departure from the mythos. Which truly does inform us, that the series is moving into new territory.
Where the Cybermen, the Daleks, the Master, and so on and so forth, can take a break from terrorizing the Doctor. For these creatures from beyond, who serve a greater being, can instead wow us and take us on adventures that defy convention and tickle the imagination and that… is what the show truly needs. For an alien that go anywhere courtesy of the TARDIS, should encounter what we don’t understand and what we’ve never seen before, and the potential for that to finally happen, is endless and exciting. But while that does set the stage for a new dawn for the series, and offers endless excitment, this new season of storytelling still makes sure to harken back to its roots in ways that ensure that the show will never lose sight of what the fans truly love about traveling about time and space with the Doctor and his friends. Because the mythos does still have a home here. Granted it is featured in a brief manner in these stories, but that is likely related to the fact that Mister Davies understands… those tuning in already know the backstory, so there’s no need to dive deep again, and those uninitiated, get enough to want to explore on their own. Not to mention, this new series makes a point to emphasize, the good that the Doctor stands for, and the wonder he finds in traveling the galaxy and seeing humanity and other beings at their best. For those elements are central to the series and offer important takeaways for us and well, all of these elements bring forth… an exciting season premiere. One that sets the stage for the unexpected. Since we haven’t a clue what awaits Ruby and the Doctor, and we haven’t a clue what the villain he’s facing wants or needs, and that truly compels us to continue the journey. To see what wonders await us in the vast emptiness of time and space. Until next time. Watch ‘Doctor Who’Written by John Edward Betancourt Television truly is quite the important medium. Because it offers so much to the people that tune in. For those that need a quick escape from the ills of the world, will find that on the small screen, and those who want the opposite, and would prefer to be captivated and immersed within incredible stories, will find that too. Not to mention, it offers stories that connect with us on a fundamental level and help us to cope with difficult times and we often forget, that television is a wonderful way to learn about our world and what life is like in places we know nothing of. And it just so happens that a series that will accomplish just that received its official release date earlier today. For STARZ let it be known that July 5, 2024, will serve as the premiere date for Down in the Valley. A docu-series hosted by Nicco Annan, who we best know as Uncle Clifford in the hit STARZ series, P-Valley, that will indeed offer grand education. For it will offer up a unique tour of the deep south and showcase what life is really like in a place that often harbors stereotypes in the minds of so many, and well… to properly do this announcement justice, STARZ went all out. By also releasing some first-look photos from the series, updated details, and a teaser trailer to showcase how in depth it is going to be. All of which, we will share with you now, so you can properly prepare to immerse yourself in a powerful learning experience. ‘STARZ has announced the date of Friday, July 5, and released first-look images for the groundbreaking new docu-series, “Down in the Valley,” hosted by the dynamic and iconic Nicco Annan (“P-Valley”). These photos offer just a glimpse into the captivating stories Annan explores with our sizzling Southern warriors. Additionally, STARZ has also released an enticing teaser trailer unveiling the power of resilience and the inspirational beauty of the human spirit as they confront brutal realities head-on. For six 30-minute episodes, the audience will dive into the fascinating duality of the Deep South from a kaleidoscopic marginalized lens starting Friday, July 5 at midnight ET on the STARZ app, and on linear, it will debut on STARZ at 9:00 PM ET/PT in the U.S. and 10:00 PM ET in Canada. “Down in the Valley” will pull back the curtain on the surprising but always intriguing people and places that make the Deep South a place where anything can happen and usually does. Annan, best known as “Uncle Clifford” on STARZ’s critically acclaimed drama series “P-Valley,” will be immersed in the people, sensuality, music, culture, and stories of the South. From strip clubs to sex workshops, rap performances, and ancient hoodoo rituals, Annan, as well as the audience, will experience it all. "Down in the Valley" isn't afraid to tackle the taboo. The series confronts uncomfortable truths, challenges societal norms, and advocates for a more inclusive and enlightened future. “Down in the Valley” is produced by Zero Point Zero for STARZ. In addition to Annan, Pulitzer Prize winner and “P-Valley” creator Katori Hall (“The Hot Wing King,” Oliver Award-winning “The Mountaintop” and Broadway’s “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical”) also serves as executive producer. Emmy and Peabody award-winning executive producer Shoshana Guy served as showrunner. Emmy and Peabody award-winners Lydia Tenaglia and Chris Collins serve as executive producers along with Emmy award winner Jared Andrukanis as co-executive producer on behalf of Zero Point Zero. Follow “Down in the Valley” on Social: Twitter: @PValleySTARZ Instagram: @PValleySTARZ Facebook: @PValleySTARZ Join the conversation with #DownInTheValley and #STARZ About STARZ STARZ (www.starz.com), a Lionsgate company, is a leading media streaming platform committed to delivering premium content that amplifies narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences. STARZ is home to the highly rated and first-of-its-kind STARZ app that offers the ability to stream or download STARZ premium content, as well as the flagship domestic STARZ® service, including STARZ ENCORE, 17 premium pay TV channels, and the associated on-demand and online services. STARZ is available across digital OTT platforms and multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies. In February 2021, STARZ launched #TakeTheLead, a multi-faceted and innovative inclusion initiative expanding its existing efforts to improve representation on screen, behind the camera and throughout the company.’ Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 412 of ‘Law & Order Organized Crime’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
One thing that fans of the hit NBC series, Law & Order: Organized Crime, can agree upon, is that season four has been quite the dark venture. After all, we’ve seen Detective Elliot Stabler’s family suffer greatly because of Joe Stabler’s devastating addiction to drugs. Not to mention, the plot thread involving Marines moving drugs for Julian Emery is pretty bleak in nature as well, and of course, the unit lost one of its own in the midst of this drug ring chaos. Which has left us wondering if by chance… this season will offer hope or a hint at a positive victory for this elite unit, or if realism will be the order of the day. Wherein evil wins or a stalemate comes into play. Well as it turns out, the next episode in this magnificent series, offered up a sliver of hope that maybe… things will turn out okay. For ‘Goodnight’ saw Elliot and Randall Stabler work hard to make something happen that should have happened long ago. In that, someone needed to handle Joe and get him sober, and they worked together to make that happen. By rigging Elliot’s apartment to keep Joe captive and once the brothers Stabler had little Joe in hand, they locked Joe away and kept an eye on him medically while they waited for that poison to cycle out of his system. To make him a better man, and to finally help him see the light. That he was working with trash and needed to do better, especially with a murder investigation surrounding him. While that went on, the team enjoyed its own win. Despite dealing with a little tension on their way to victory. Because Emery set up digital traps, the kind that almost wiped-out critical databases when the team dug deep into what his next move might be. But the team was one step ahead and figured out how to evade such powerful measures, by attacking the source. Which led to a firefight and some brushes with trouble. But eventually, the team did indeed get past Emery’s security and were able to access his data and get to work in decrypting it. Giving the team that win, and even the Stabler boys saw brighter days ahead. Because eventually, Joe did get sober and he seemed to come to his senses, despite slugging Randall and escaping. But that was apparently all part of a plan. To garner Emery’s trust so that Joe could be the inside man and figure out how to bring Emery down and atone for his sins. Because Joe did come to realize in his clarity that Emery didn’t care about him, and used his addiction to keep him under control, and well… this little twist paid off in spades. Because Joe was able to lead Stabler’s unit and the ATF to the next drop location, and he had Emery’s trust again, and this wonderful uplifting twist arrived at just the right time. Because the closing moments of this tale, wherein the data was finally decrypted, informed the team exactly how Emery operated and how he got his fortune to fund his drug trade. In that he sold illegal weapons to the highest bidder, and he was preparing to send a haul out into the world to pad his wallet. Which while scary in nature, isn’t quite as terrifying as it could be. Because finally, the heroes caught a break here. For they finally have advance notice of what Emery is up to, and they know the location of the drop and best of all, they have a healthy ally on the inside. Because Joe is finally clean, and his mind is finally clear, and he seems ready to play the hero. All of which sets the stage for an epic finale, but before we ponder upon that, we really do need to applaud this episode. Because it really was the breather the audience desperately needed from the darkness, so this story deserves a round of applause for finally giving us something to hold onto and for making us ultra-excited about what lies ahead. For at long last, Detective Elliot Stabler is about to square off against a grand monster, and that should make for one hell of a season finale. Until next time. Watch ‘Law & Order: Organized Crime’
Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 25012 of ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’. To revisit the precious episode, click here.
It is definitely safe to say that genuinely good people, will do anything within their power to make the world a better place. Because they genuinely believe that acts of kindness and acts of service can heal and can do wonders, and that is why they will indeed step in when someone stumbles and go above and beyond to do the right thing, and they inspire us to be better and oddly leave us wondering… why such kindness doesn’t spread and why it hasn’t made the world a better place, and the answer to that is simple. In that, there was mention they will do what is within their power to heal the planet, and sadly… they only have so much power and finite resources. But it does leave one to wonder, what would happen if the good people of the world had those resources and could in fact, use them to make the world a better place and well, it just so happens that the next episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit took the time to explore what that might look like. A feat that ‘Marauder’ accomplished by having Captain Benson spend a little time with Special Agent Sykes, who was down in the dumps and missing at work. Mainly because, a dark anniversary date was upon her. One that involved the disappearance of her sister, a case that was never solved and she was so hurt and so broken by the fact that justice had not been served, that Benson felt it best to look into the case herself and what she uncovered was stunning. Because there were more cases akin to Skyes’, the kind that were all over the tri-state area, and that likely meant one man, known as a Marauder, a criminal that takes dark actions within a certain radius of their home base, committed these crimes and that gave Benson quite the idea. Wherein she could use a crime that matched the profile, in her jurisdiction, to pool resources and garner the help of other agencies to try and find this monster, and she was so excited about this plan that she pushed the team hard to find this guy, only to quickly be stonewalled when the time came to gather real evidence. For one of the families involved in this crime, didn’t want to open old wounds or in this case, exhume the dead. But seeing the passion put forth by Benson and her willingness to spend whatever dollars necessary to catch this guy, brought about inspiration. For Cal, a cousin of the deceased teenage girl that Olivia wanted to exhume, opted to give a false confession regarding her murder. So that DNA evidence had to be taken from him and the dead, to bring about a conviction and that… gave Olivia the lead she needed. Because a viable DNA sample from the deceased matched a genealogy database and that brought Olivia face to face with a 72-year-old former insurance claims adjuster. Who did indeed travel about the tri-state area and a little further and while out and about… he killed those girls and when faced with the death penalty, took quite the deal to bring justice forth and bring closure to broken families. All because Captain Benson is the best of us, and she has those resources at her fingertips and if more good people had what she has and had that freedom… the world would indeed be a better place. But alas, there will be some out there who will disagree with that assessment and be concerned more about how Benson bent the law hard here to get the case taken care of. But this is nothing more than escapist television, a chance to find catharsis and a chance to see what good could be done if someone in Olivia’s position could in let loose in the right ways, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Especially right now in these trying times where the world frustrates us to no end and where it seems that bad people are getting away with anything and everything. So, kudos to this series for offering catharsis through a powerhouse and emotional case. One that deeply invested us and ended in a flawless manner. With good defeating a genuine evil. Until next time. Watch ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’
Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 23012 of ‘Law & Order’. To Revisit the previous episode, click here.
There are a great many goals that the creative team of a television series want to accomplish once they get a series order. For instance, they want their work to be loved by fans, and become can’t miss TV. So that a loyal audience settles in and spreads the word about the show. That way, it can receive multiple seasons, and television gods willing, become an iconic series in the process. One that celebrates the 100th Episode milestone that signifies that the creative team accomplished their mission. Sadly of course, that’s not always how it goes, but those are solid goals to shoot for, and 100 is solid episode count to chase. For it is one that only a select number of shows have reached and one that only a select number of shows… have exceeded. If anything, milestones, and iconography are top of mind today, simply because last night, television history was made on NBC. For Law & Order aired its 500th Episode. A rare number that only a handful of shows have ever reached, and it is one that speaks to exceeding one’s goals since such a number makes this series more than iconic, but an outright staple of television, a legend if you will, and this particular series celebrated this milestone by offering up an episode that explored the core mission of the show. Which is to give us catharsis and an understanding that those who wear the badge and serve the public trust should push to make justice their goal above everything else, and ‘No Good Deed’ accomplished that feat, by way of quite the shocking discovery. In that, a respected and kind therapist was brutally murdered one night and assaulted as well and that put Riley on Shaw on the case, and they moved quickly to see who might want to harm the deceased and came to learn… it might have been someone from her past. For a former patient named Shawn Payne was one that she spoke of in her travels, in a negative light no less, and well… it just so happened that this twisted man, one who committed a bevy of awful crimes against women, was fresh out of prison. Thanks to a sour plea deal that Price negotiated in the hopes of not putting the victim, named Chelsea, through an emotional wringer. And of course, it didn’t take long for all signs to point to Payne being the perp and that brought about… one fascinating trial. Wherein Price wanted badly to sit first chair to properly put this monster away for all time but was denied the chance. For Baxter wanted to personally ensure this case saw a guilty verdict come down. Which led to conflict between both men as they challenged one another regarding why this case was so important to them. But eventually, they put differences and drive aside because they both wanted one thing above all else… justice. They wanted this guy to properly pay for his repeated crimes so he could never cause harm again and once they understood the real goal, what they absolutely had to drive toward… they accomplished wonders. By finding flawless evidence to render a guilty verdict. Which came at the price of Chelsea’s mental health… unfortunately. But… a monster was locked away and Chelsea was in the hands of proper medical care. In the end however, this case… really did make for an incredible 500th Episode of the show. Simply because, it really did lock down what Dick Wolf and his team want the show to accomplish on a regular basis, and it handled it through a compelling and unsettling case. One that engaged us enough that we too wanted justice, and we found our catharsis through Price and Baxter’s unity, and that made for a satisfying episode as well. One that we cannot emphasize enough, was so incredibly historic in nature. Because 500 Episodes really is quite the amazing accomplishment through and through, and well, at this point, the sky is the limit for a series that has put together that many incredible stories. For that number showcases the love fans have for the show, it’s importance to the television landscape and that it really has tapped into something special storytelling wise. So, we simply must tip our cap to the cast and crew on 500 amazing episodes, and here is to many, many, more. Until next time. Watch ‘Law & Order’
Please Enjoy this Sneak Peek and Synopsis from Episode Six of Mary and George, which airs on STARZ, later tonight, and is available to stream on the STARZ App, now! MARY & GEORGE EPISODE 106: The Queen Is Dead Airdate: May 10 at 9:00pm ET/PT on STARZ Anti-Spanish riots have taken hold of the city, and with the Crown plunged into debt, George stands to lose everything. Meanwhile, Mary faces devastating consequences when she overplays her hand. Please enjoy this sneak peek and Synopsis of the season three finale of ‘BMF’, which airs on STARZ, later tonight, and is available to stream on the STARZ App, now! BMF EPISODE 310: Prime Time **SEASON FINALE** Airdate: May 10 at 8:00pm ET/PT on STARZ Meech and Terry return to Atlanta and their American Dream is almost taken from them after the authorities are tipped of their recent Miami endeavor. The brothers work together to retrieve everything they have worked hard for, and plan to expand to St. Louis and other cities with Miami as a hub. They head to Mexico to re-up on their supply. Meech and Terry are in for a one of their greatest adventures. |
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